Saturday, March 8, 2008

HOLLYWOOD, CA (AP) -- Sherwood Schwartz, who created the TV comedy classics "Gilligan's Island" and "The Brady Brunch," gleefully thanked the leading ladies of those shows Friday when he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

"To me, Dawn will always be Mary Ann on 'Gilligan's Island' and Florence will always be Mrs. Brady," said Schwartz, 91, referring to actresses Dawn Wells and Florence Henderson, who spoke during the ceremony.

Schwartz mused about his start in show biz, which happened "by accident," he said.

Schwartz said came to Southern California from New York in 1938 to get a master's degree in biological sciences. In need of work, he started writing jokes for Bob Hope's radio show, which Schwartz's brother Al worked for.

"Bob liked my jokes, used them on his show and got big laughs. Then he asked me to join his writing staff," Schwartz said. "I was faced with a major decision  writing comedy or starving to death while I cured those diseases. I made a quick career change."

Schwartz went on to write for "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and other radio shows.

He turned to TV in the 1950s, eventually creating "Gilligan's Island" in 1963.

After the show ended in 1967, Schwartz created the blended family comedy "The Brady Bunch," for which he also wrote the theme song.

Syndicated reruns of both shows have made them longtime TV comedy staples.

"The title of the winning film at the Oscars this year was wrong. Who says this is 'No Country For Old Men?'" Schwartz joked.